Accounting, known as “the language of business,” provides financial information that is useful for making a wide range of business decisions and is a crucial function for every business.
Commitment to research is an integral component of the Accounting department. Our faculty are academically respected and professionally qualified and actively produce and support basic and applied research. Faculty research and teaching expectations emphasize individual strengths, interests and career development through a coordinated program of peer review, support and counsel.
Our faculty pursue external service activities that enhance the student experience, departmental visibility, reputation and presence at the local, national and international levels. We are dedicated to service to the students, college and university that enhances the university's urban mission.
Degree Programs Heading link
The Accounting Department offers an undergraduate Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree programs.
BS in Accounting Degree Requirements
UIC Business Master of Science in Accounting Heading link
Why Accounting? Heading link
Program Outcomes
About half of UIC Business Accounting graduates enter Public Accounting
- High average starting salaries for Accounting grads (~$60,000)
- Public Accounting provides excellent additional training and experience
- Many current controllers and CFOs started their careers in Public Accounting
Accounting and You
Accounting may be a good fit if you:
- Are analytical – you enjoy working with numbers and logic.
- Have good attention to detail – you relish “digging into” questions and really understanding the relevant data.
- Are willing to become a good communicator – accountants often have to explain complex issues in simple terms.
- Are interested in some day running a company – many top executives started out as accountants!
- To advance your career you may consider working towards a certification in accounting. Common certifications include:
- Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
- Certified Management Accountant (CMA)
- Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
- Certified Financial Analyst (CFA)
Accounting Club University of Illinois Chicago Heading link
The Accounting Club is a pre-professional and social club for Accounting and business majors. We hold the duty of bridging the gap between UIC accounting students and the recruiters who seek talented young individuals to hold positions within their firms. In addition, we hold events that focus on the development of professional skills, proficiencies not often taught in our university classrooms. Our efforts and events have the full support of the UIC Accounting Department and the College of Business Administration’s Career Services Office.The Accounting Club has a rich and deep-rooted history in our young campus; with over forty-five years of operation behind us, we are confident that we are more than able to meet your needs as students.
What can I do with an Accounting major? Heading link
This year’s Educator of the Year Award goes to someone who has thrived with their teaching delivery. Their innovative teaching methods, dedication to their students, and their passion for accounting have made them a role model for many aspiring accountants inside and outside the classroom. They are known for their ability to make complex accounting concepts easy to understand and their commitment to preparing their students for successful careers in the field with critical thinking. The 2023 Educator of the Yearis Clinical Associate Professor, Michael McLaughlin.
| Accounting, Class of '24
CPA Track Networking and Mentoring Event Heading link
UIC Business hosted a dynamic CPA Track (CPAT) networking and mentoring event. CPAT supports the success of Black and Hispanic accounting majors in achieving CPA certification thereby building a pipeline of diverse talent in the professional accounting industry. Facilitated by Mike Kirschenheiter, Professor of Accounting; and Melissa Martin, Associate Professor and Interim Head of Accounting, the event featured engaging breakout sessions and seven themed tables where CPAT students connected with representatives from accounting firms that included Ernst & Young, Grant Thornton, Deloitte, and Baker Tilly, among others. Topics ranged from diversity initiatives to the benefits of CPA certification. Participants shared career challenges, experiences, and insights, fostering meaningful connections.